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| The South Carolina
quarter's reverse is an outline of the state complimented by an
intriguing group of state symbols. |
South Carolina
The South Carolina quarter, the eighth coin
released under the 50 State Quarters Program™ shows key state symbols- a
Palmetto Tree, the Carolina Wren and the Yellow Jessamine. An outline of South
Carolina, nickname "The Palmetto State" and a star indicating the
capital, Columbia, form the quarter’s background.
The Carolina Wren, the state bird, and the
Yellow Jessamine, the state flower, are native throughout South Carolina; the
importance of the Palmetto Tree, the state tree, dates back to the Revolutionary
War. In 1776, colonists in a small fort built of Palmetto logs successfully
defeated a British fleet trying to capture Charleston Harbor. Since then, South
Carolina has been called, "The Palmetto State."
Beginning in 1998, the South Carolina
Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism (PRT) accepted quarter design
suggestions. Contributions came from PRT’s offices, school children and the
South Carolina Numismatic Society.
From these contributions, PRT compiled five
semi-finalist design
concepts. The Citizens Commemorative Coin Advisory Committee and the Fine
Arts Commission narrowed these five semi-finalist design concepts down to three
choices. Governor Jim Hodges then made his final decision, indicating that the
Palmetto Tree represents South Carolina’s strength; the Carolina Wren’s song
symbolizes the hospitality of the state’s people; and the Yellow Jessamine, a
delicate golden bloom- a sign of coming spring- is part of South Carolina’s
vast natural beauty.
Images and content courtesy of the United
States Mint
PCGS Nos: 5958, 5959,
913011, 913012
Mintage for
circulation:
2000-P 742,756,000
2000-D 566,208,000
Notes:
The finest Uncirculated 2000-P South Carolina examples graded by PCGS are 94
MS-68's. The finest
Uncirculated 2000-D South Carolina examples graded by PCGS are 75 MS-68's. The
finest 2000-S South Carolina Proof Deep Cameo examples graded by PCGS are 1827
PRDC-69's. The finest
2000-S South Carolina Proof Deep Cameo "Silver" examples graded by
PCGS are 6 PRDC-70's.
Sources and/or
recommended reading:
United States Mint website at www.usmint.gov
"The PCGS
Population Report, July 2003" by The Professional Coin Grading
Service
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